Strand C Forms of Energy Enduring Understanding: An object can be seen when light strikes it and is reflected to a viewer's eye. If there is no light, objects cannot be seen. CPI 5.2.2.C.2 Apply a variety of strategies to collect evidence that validates the principle that if there is no light, objects cannot be seen.
"Can We Believe Our Own Eyes?" Light allows us to see and yet light itself seems invisible. What activities might we devise to help students in grades K-3 develop concrete images of the abstract concept of light? "Can We Believe Our Own Eyes?" is for teachers and educators who want to recognize and understand the process by which students begin to replace old ideas when new ones become more plausible. This process, called conceptual change, can be difficult and confusing for students. For a time, students may hold both the old and new ideas, switching back and forth between them in different contexts. Understanding conceptual change is an important tool for teachers of all grade levels.
Science, Optics, and You Science, Optics & You is a new interdisciplinary optics, light and microscopy curriculum resource package targeting elementary grade students. It is a collaborative project of the Center for Integrating Research and Learning at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Molecular Expressions. The project combines scientific inquiry with hands-on instruction and state-of-the-art educational technology to equip students with skills for the twenty-first century. It provides an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and the arts.
Shedding Light on Science From Annenberg Media video workshops for teachers to learn about light, mirrors, and shadows. Ideas for engaging students in the study of light are also shared.
How Light Moves A sample lesson from Teacher's Domain in which students investigate some of the properties of how light is propagated, and, using observations from simple experiments, test their predictions about the paths that light takes with different materials.
Light and Dark An interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate light sources to explore the reflection of light and observe that if there is no light, objects cannot be seen. Site includes the interactive feature, a reading, and an online quiz.
How We See ThingsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate mirrors and angle them correctly to direct light. Site includes the interactive feature, a reading, and an online quiz.
Enduring Understanding: When light strikes substances and objects through which it cannot pass, shadows result. CPI 5.2.2.C.3 Present evidence that represents the relationship between a light source, solid object, and the resulting shadow.
Sky 1: Objects in the Sky First lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to observe and describe what the sky looks like at different times; to identify objects in the sky and recognize changes over time; to look for objects that are common to the daytime and nighttime sky.
Sky 2:Shadows Second lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to investigate shadows, using literature-based discussion as well as experiences with manipulating shadows.
Sky 3: Modeling Shadows Third lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to demonstrate understanding of shadows by creating a physical model of concepts learned.
Sky 4: The Moon Fourth lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to observe and describe what the sky looks like at different times. To identify objects in the sky and recognize changes in their appearance. To look for patterns and develop interpretations based on extended observations. *Also correlates to 5.4 Earth Systems Strand A Objects in the Universe.
Cooler in the Shadows A Science NetLinks lesson that provides four activities to allow students to make inferences about the cause of shadows by observing and making their own shadows in the sun and to explore how the amount of sunlight and heat change in areas that are shaded. The four activities are in PDF format. You might select to use all or only a couple:
Investigating Shadows A shadow is a dark outline or image cast by an object that blocks light. It is formed when light hits an opaque object that does not let the light pass through. Everywhere else around the opaque object, the light continues in a straight path until it bounces off the ground or wall behind the object. The result is a dark patch, or shadow, with the same outline as the object surrounded by light. Explore some of the features of shadows, such as how the size of a shadow and the size of the object that produced the shadow are related.
Light and ShadowsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate light sources examine how the size of shadows change as the light source is moved closer or farther away. A sun and moon are also manipulated to examine the time of day when shadows are strongest and how they appear as the sun and moon move across the sky. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Refraction of Light in a Prism See how a prism breaks light into different wavelengths. Animation provided by the European Space Agency and the International Space Station.
Strand E Forces and Motion
FOSS Web Module Balance and Motion- teacher resources, interactive games, and media files. Spanish resources also available.
Forces in Action An interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate trucks on a track to explore how changing the track's gradient affects the speed. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
FrictionAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate cars to explore how friction affects the distrance an object will travel on a surface. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Magnets and SpringsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to explore springs and materials a magnet will attract. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Ramps 1: Let It Roll A Science NetLinks lesson that is designed for students to explore and measure the rate of spherical objects rolling down a ramp. Ramps 2: Ramp Builder A Science NetLinks lesson that is designed for students to plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far.
Grade Two Physical Science Unit Resources
Classroom Application Document- Provides sample lesson plans, video clips, hands-on and virtual activities aligned to standard 5.2 Physical Science.
Strand C Forms of Energy
Enduring Understanding:
An object can be seen when light strikes it and is reflected to a viewer's eye. If there is no light, objects cannot be seen.
CPI 5.2.2.C.2
Apply a variety of strategies to collect evidence that validates the principle that if there is no light, objects cannot be seen.
"Can We Believe Our Own Eyes?" Light allows us to see and yet light itself seems invisible. What activities might we devise to help students in grades K-3 develop concrete images of the abstract concept of light? "Can We Believe Our Own Eyes?" is for teachers and educators who want to recognize and understand the process by which students begin to replace old ideas when new ones become more plausible. This process, called conceptual change, can be difficult and confusing for students. For a time, students may hold both the old and new ideas, switching back and forth between them in different contexts. Understanding conceptual change is an important tool for teachers of all grade levels.
Science, Optics, and You Science, Optics & You is a new interdisciplinary optics, light and microscopy curriculum resource package targeting elementary grade students. It is a collaborative project of the Center for Integrating Research and Learning at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Molecular Expressions. The project combines scientific inquiry with hands-on instruction and state-of-the-art educational technology to equip students with skills for the twenty-first century. It provides an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and the arts.
Shedding Light on Science From Annenberg Media video workshops for teachers to learn about light, mirrors, and shadows. Ideas for engaging students in the study of light are also shared.
How Vision Works A teacher resource from Discovery Health.
How Light Moves A sample lesson from Teacher's Domain in which students investigate some of the properties of how light is propagated, and, using observations from simple experiments, test their predictions about the paths that light takes with different materials.
Light and Dark An interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate light sources to explore the reflection of light and observe that if there is no light, objects cannot be seen. Site includes the interactive feature, a reading, and an online quiz.
How We See ThingsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate mirrors and angle them correctly to direct light. Site includes the interactive feature, a reading, and an online quiz.
Enduring Understanding:
When light strikes substances and objects through which it cannot pass, shadows result.
CPI 5.2.2.C.3
Present evidence that represents the relationship between a light source, solid object, and the resulting shadow.
Where do light and shadows come from? BBC Science Clip
Sky 1: Objects in the Sky First lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to observe and describe what the sky looks like at different times; to identify objects in the sky and recognize changes over time; to look for objects that are common to the daytime and nighttime sky.
Sky 2:Shadows Second lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to investigate shadows, using literature-based discussion as well as experiences with manipulating shadows.
Sky 3: Modeling Shadows Third lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to demonstrate understanding of shadows by creating a physical model of concepts learned.
Sky 4: The Moon Fourth lesson in series of four provided by Science NetLinks to observe and describe what the sky looks like at different times. To identify objects in the sky and recognize changes in their appearance. To look for patterns and develop interpretations based on extended observations. *Also correlates to 5.4 Earth Systems Strand A Objects in the Universe.
Cooler in the Shadows A Science NetLinks lesson that provides four activities to allow students to make inferences about the cause of shadows by observing and making their own shadows in the sun and to explore how the amount of sunlight and heat change in areas that are shaded. The four activities are in PDF format. You might select to use all or only a couple:
Investigating Shadows A shadow is a dark outline or image cast by an object that blocks light. It is formed when light hits an opaque object that does not let the light pass through. Everywhere else around the opaque object, the light continues in a straight path until it bounces off the ground or wall behind the object. The result is a dark patch, or shadow, with the same outline as the object surrounded by light. Explore some of the features of shadows, such as how the size of a shadow and the size of the object that produced the shadow are related.
Light and ShadowsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate light sources examine how the size of shadows change as the light source is moved closer or farther away. A sun and moon are also manipulated to examine the time of day when shadows are strongest and how they appear as the sun and moon move across the sky. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Refraction of Light in a Prism See how a prism breaks light into different wavelengths. Animation provided by the European Space Agency and the International Space Station.
Strand E Forces and Motion
FOSS Web Module Balance and Motion- teacher resources, interactive games, and media files. Spanish resources also available.
Force and Motion "On a Roll" this is workshop 4 of the Annenberg Science in Focus Force and Motion. Additional lesson resource http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/bouncing_balls.html
Force and Motion "Keep On Rolling" this is workshop 5 of the Annenberg Science in Focus Forcee and Motion. Additional lesson resource at http://www.physicscentral.com/lou/lou-00-1.html
Forces in Action An interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate trucks on a track to explore how changing the track's gradient affects the speed. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
FrictionAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to manipulate cars to explore how friction affects the distrance an object will travel on a surface. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Magnets and SpringsAn interactive simulation from the BBC which allows students to explore springs and materials a magnet will attract. Site includes the interactive feature, reading, and an online quiz.
Ramps 1: Let It Roll A Science NetLinks lesson that is designed for students to explore and measure the rate of spherical objects rolling down a ramp.
Ramps 2: Ramp Builder A Science NetLinks lesson that is designed for students to plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far.